Comfort Food for Writers

by Linda Glaz

Okay, time to sit back and relax with your favorite coffee or tea and a handful of shortbread cookies (my guilty pleasure). I’ll do the same, and we can talk about you getting published.

“Can you give me any hints and tips to get my foot in the door?”

I’d be happy to. I receive numerous submissions every day. And a few of the submitters know what they are doing. Unfortunately, most do not. And it’s too bad, because with a bit of effort, everyone could submit in such a way they would be taken more seriously.

“There must be secret ways to get it right, correct?”

Not at all. Following a few simple guidelines, the agents/editors will think you’ve been submitting like a professional for years. Here goes:

• Check the guidelines for the agency where you want to submit your work
• Know exactly what they do and do not handle/want to see
• What are they asking for

1. o Do they want a query only
   o Do they want a query and synopsis
   o Do they want a full proposal

1. 1.  Are submission guidelines on the site for what should be in the material

“This sounds like a lot of research and work.”

Take a breath, a sip of tea, a bite of cookie, and listen. It is a lot of work. The job of writing a book isn’t simply … well … writing the book. Your job includes: writing a great novel, developing platform, and knowing the industry. Following these steps will let the agent/editor know that you understand your job in its entirely. That you are, indeed, a professional, not a hobbyist. And, that you are willing to go the extra length to be sure and give them precisely what they expect.

“But why do I have to jump through so many hoops to query an agent?”

Presenting yourself in this manner is far more than most authors do to be recognized. Most finish their book, don’t edit, don’t even proofread in many instances. Then, they quickly send out whatever they want to editors and agents, anxious for a great contract with a giant advance, all the while not understanding the process or the industry at all. Many times, sending to publishers or agents who don’t even handle their genres.

“But if it’s really good, why don’t they want to look at my genre, anyway?”

BIG GULP of coffee to calm down. This lack of knowledge in the industry tells us you aren’t ready yet. It says you think we don’t know what we’re capable of handling. What this really means is that we simply don’t read in that genre or, that we don’t have the connections in that genre to be a help. Or, we might be full up on that category at the moment. There are many reasons why we reject projects.

“This is a lot of work.”

Yes, but the additional effort from you, the writer, will make me, the agent, a happy person. When I get what I suggest on my site, I know that you’ve done your homework and understand the industry in a way most don’t. I want to hear from you.

Therefore, today after you clean up the crumbs and your comfort level sits above average, take the time to look over the suggestions again. Then, begin the journey that we hope will land you an agent who can get behind you and champion your work. The extra effort will make you, the writer, more sought after.

Linda Glaz understands authors because she is one. Speaking about books at conferences, she’s always looking for that next great, best-selling novel. She handles nonfiction and fiction in both the Christian and General markets (clean reads only). She loves suspense, historicals, and romance. No spec or children’s (including no YA), please!